The Legal 500 U.K. rated McGuireWoods as a leading law firm in five practice areas and again named commercial litigation partner Chloe Steele a “Next Generation Partner” in its 2026 guide to top firms in the United Kingdom.
McGuireWoods earned nationwide rankings in the following categories:
- M&A: Smaller Deals, £10 million – £100 million
- Commercial Litigation: Mid-Market
- Commercial Property: Corporate Occupiers
- Bank Lending Investment Grade Debt and Syndicated Loans
- Employment: Employers
The Legal 500 lauded McGuireWoods for the “excellent commercial acumen” and “deep knowledge” of its London M&A team, citing the team’s capabilities in domestic and cross-border transactions and the experience of key partners Mehboob Dossa and Karl Hemingway.
McGuireWoods received high marks for its commercial litigation prowess, including its work in multijurisdictional matters for clients in the automotive, energy, banking and technology sectors. Partner Simon Hems drew notice for his focus on engineering and construction disputes and partner William Boddy was recognized for his experience in banking and energy matters.
For the fourth year in a row, Steele was selected as a “Next Generation Partner,” an honor reserved for junior partners who earn significant recognition from clients and peers and play key roles on multiple matters. Steele represents corporate and individual clients in complex commercial disputes, often with an international dimension.
McGuireWoods London’s commercial real estate team earned another nationwide ranking for advising corporate occupiers. The Legal 500 said the firm was well-positioned to meet a growing demand for guidance from clients in the industrial and logistics sectors, thanks to the experience and insight of partner Callum Hassall and associate Hannah Irish. In a published testimonial, a client praised Hassall as “a really good lawyer in the full sense – law, commerciality, communication.”
McGuireWoods earned a nationwide ranking for bank lending, with the Legal 500 citing the firm’s “fantastic service” advising U.S.-based lenders in transatlantic deals involving multinational and U.K.-based companies. Partner Alan Holliday was singled out for his experience and for being “very approachable and knowledgeable.”
In a published testimonial, a client commended the firm’s London employment team for “exceptional knowledge coupled with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach to employment challenges.” Daniel L. Peyton, managing partner of McGuireWoods’ London office, was recognized for his focus on whistleblowing and discrimination claims, board-level terminations and confidential information disputes. The Legal 500 also noted associate Adam Penman’s experience in data protection law and senior exits.
A client said Peyton “brings exceptional insight to contentious issues and provides a balanced assessment of the issues in front of him. However, you are left in no doubt that he is ‘in your corner’ and at all points we have been fully supported, way beyond reasonable expectations.”